Media centre case help

[stevecross]

Hi guys, i am new to the forums so please be gentle. I am looking to build me a home theatre pc and i am looking for help with best case to buy, ideally i would like a case that takes full height cards. Any thoughts apreciated.

steve

[fathazza]

you can basically go for a big desktop case or a cube type (matx only there tho)

if youre on a budget id recomend the silverstone lc17 or the thermaltake lanbox lite respectively. If you arent the world is your oyster.

check, specialtech.co.uk and kustompcs.co.uk they both have good ranges.

[staffsMike]

This is ver good for living room PC's, super quiet and great cooling too.
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=787236

Slightly more expensive version
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=593639

You can fit this cooler in and run it without a fan with most CPU's
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=657369

[TheReaFireblade]

Welcome to the forums Steve


There are literally hundreds of HTPC cases to choose from, but it's very hard to recommend any, without knowing how much you're willing to spend on one?

[JohnJJG]

A couple of friends have bought the Antec Fusion v2 shown in one of the links above. Looks like a stereo separate with a big volume dial and display showing what is playing. Quiet as well with one or two adjustable 12cm fans. Its about £110-120 but looks very good.

Make sure it is the v2 version because this has the MCE reciever built in. I've seen it in black, Scan has it in silver but not sure if it is the V2 (probably is).

I have the old version of the Antec Cube. Not as quite as quiet I had hoped so may be best with a bigger fusion size case.

Most home theater boxes will limit you to a uATX board. Should think about built in graphics. One of the boards I have is a 780G based board but does not output s-video or composite so be wary of a few traps.

[F1ZZY]

Fusion and mini ninja ftw

[TheReaFireblade]

It might be too early to say for sure, but it's certainly beginning to look like any advice is gonna be wasted - given that the OP hasn't been back on the forums since starting the thread

[stevecross]

Guys, please dont think your advise is wasted. I Help with electrical installation and sometimes i work away. I will look through your posts now i am back. Please i appreciate your help. will post back later today.

steve

[Dreaming]

I looked into it quite extensively and personally am decided on the NSK2480 and then a third party add in IR receiver / LCD display...

http://www.vlsys.co.kr/English/product_mplayblast.php

[stevecross]

Thanks guys, the fusion v2 looks good to me and priced pretty fair. One question would this take full height cards.

steve

[JohnJJG]

Yeah, the V2 takes full height cards, length will be limited to UATX board length though, but that shouldn't be a problem. Quite Home theater PC's and power hungry, fan cooled graphics don't usually go well together.

[TheReaFireblade]

You can forget cards like the 8800GTX/9800GTX... but Phoronix installed an 8600GT in it for their review, so it looks like it'll accept 'normal' desktop cards?


Note: The Fusion v2 has now been (officially) renamed the Antec Fusion 430 -EC (see the top left of that page)

[JohnJJG]

Sorry, missed the name change.

[stevecross]

Thanks guys, case now ordered. Should recieve on monday. Now need to sus out board and cpu.

steve

[staffsMike]

Well if you want help with that I would go with this for a media PC. No need for a discrete card, it handles all media type things exeptionally

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=787072
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=807039

with the scythe mini ninja from my first post

[stevecross]

Thanks for all the help i have been given. no stock of the mainboard but i will look elseware for stock.

steve